Chinese patrol near contested Diaoyu isles

BEIJING, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- Chinese surveillance ships patrolled near the disputed Diaoyu Islands to ask Japanese ships doing the same to leave, China's State Oceanic Administration said.

The four Chinese vessels were sent to the islands Friday, Xinhua reported.

After asking the Japanese vessels to leave, the Chinese ships collected evidence of possible infringement on China's sovereignty, the SOA said.